Automatic starting system for internal combustion engines



July 10, 1962 Filed April 11 1960 WEIKKO TEIKARI 3,043,935

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 3 Sheets-Sheet l Tit 16.1.

CMRRENT SUPPLY INVENTOR.

UJEHLKO Ta KA2\ ATTORNEY July 10, 1962 WEIKKO TEXKARI AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 11, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. u) E\ KKO TE\KA2\ ATTORNEY F: ch4- July 10, 1962 WE'KKO E 3,043,935

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 11, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Ud E\ KKO Tam AQJ 3,043,935 AUTUMATIC S. ARTTNG SYSTEM FER HJTERNAL @UMEUSTEfiN Weiidro Teihari, Box 1'77, Iron River, Mich. Fited Apr. 11, 196i Ser. No. 21,511

it Chums. (til. Nth-136.3)

This invention relates to automatic starting systems for internal combustion engines, and it particularly relates to starting systems for Warming the engines prior to use. This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pendin-g application Serial No. 755,233 filed August 15, 1958, now Patent No. 3,043,963, dated July 10, 1962.

During cold weather it is often difiicult to start the engine of an automobile or similar vehicle. Furthermore, even when the engine has been started, it requires sufficient time to warm up before being operated. in addition, in very cold weather, there is danger that the oil in the crankcase will freeze or get overly thick.

In order to overcome the above difliculties, it has been proposed in the aforesaid co-pending application Serial No. 755,233, now Patent No. 3,043,963, dated July it), 1962, to provide certain mechanisms which can be set to automatically start the engine at predetermined times and at predetermined intervals which may be selectively adjusted for either temperature actuation, timed actuation or both. This system, as set forth in the aforesaid co-pending application, has proved highly effective in overcoming most of the difficulties of cold-weather starting. However, this system is somewhat complex and bulky and is, therefore, quite expensive.

. It is one object of the present invention to overcome all the difficulties of cold-weather starting as is accomplished by the system of the aforesaid co-pending application but to obtain this result bymeans of a far more compact and inexpensive apparatus.

. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system of the aforesaid type which is of greatly simplified construction and which is relatively easy to keep in good repair.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an 7 improved system, of the character described, that is even more easily and economically produced than applicants prior system, which is even more sturdy in construction, and which is even more eflicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in View, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective View of a device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a generally schematic view showing the electrical energizing circuit in operative relation to the contact disc.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the operating mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

F1619 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the contact disc taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a housing 10 comprising a front panel '12, a rear panel 14, a bottom panel 16 and an intermediate panel 18. The panel v18 is held between the front and rear panels 12 and 14 by rods 20. It is also held in spcade relation to United States Patent 0 the front panel '12. by means of spacer posts 22 attached to panel 1%; by screws or bolts 24.

Extending between panel 12 and 13 and projecting forwardly from the panel 112 is a shaft 26. This shaft 26 is operatively connected to various gear trains and timing wheels not specifically identified but s milar in function to corresponding parts fully described in the aforesaid copending application and also similar to the functioning of standard clock mechanisms.

The mechanism with which the improvement of this present application is primarily concerned is that which is to be found between the panels =12 and 18. This mechanism includes a minute wheel 28, mounted directly on shaft 26 and in operative engagement with a gear 30, and an hour wheel 32 mounted on a tubular shaft 34. This shaft .34- telescopically encompasses the shaft 26 and the wheel 32 is mounted directly thereon. The wheel 32 is in mesh with a pinion 36.

Mounted on tubular shaft 34 is a sleeve 38 (see FIG. 6) which is threaded at opposite ends but which is free from threads in the central portion. This central portion is enameled with an electrical insulation coating. A contact disc 40, which is centrally apertured, is retained on the central portion of sleeve 38 by means of nuts 42 threaded onto the threaded ends of sleeve 33. Electrically insulating washers 44 are positioned between each nut 42 and the disc 40.

Forwardly of the'frontmost nut 42 is provided a gear 46 mounted on a tubular shaft 48 which telescopically encompasses the tubular shaft 34 (see FIG. 6). Between gear dd and a similar gear St) is provided an electrically insulating washer 52. The gear 5t) is mounted on a tubular shaft 54 which telescopically encompasses shaft 48. Between gear Sil and front panel 12 is provided an electrically insulating washer 56.

The front ends of the tubular shafts 34, 48 and 54 as well as the front end of shaft 26 extend through a central aperture in the front panel 12 and project beyond this front panel. These projecting ends of the various shafts are of differing lengths and each is provided with a hand or pointer indicated respectively at 58 for shaft 26, 68 for shaft 34, 62 for shaft 48 and 64 for shaft 54. The pointers 5d, 60, 62 and 64 coact with a dial face on the outer surface of the panel 12, this dial face being indicated at 66 (see FIG. 4). A transparent dome or case 68 encloses the dial face and pointers, the dome 63 being clamped to the panel E12 by clamps 70 (see FIG. 6).

The disc 40 is constructed of brass coated with electrically insulating material such as Bakelite or similar synthetic resin. However, at certain portions of its two opposite surfaces the coating is absent to expose the brass. These exposed brass portions-form electrical contacts. Both of these surfaces are illustrated in FIG. 2 while FIG. 5 shows the front surface and FIG. 7 shows the rear surface.

The front surface 72 is provided with twenty-four contacts '74 arranged in spiral formation, with the spiral being eccentric to the center of the disc. When arranged in such spiral formation, the contacts 74 are placed in predetermined positions coinciding with particular time pe riods. A blank space is provided near the center for neutral or no running time of the motor. These contacts 74 are arranged to be individually engaged by an electrode mounted at the end of a spring arm 76 during rotation of the disc 40. The rear surface 78 of the disc 41) is provided with fifty-three contacts indicated 80, plus a blank space near the outer edge for neutral or no running time of the motor. The contacts 80 are arranged in different formation than the contacts 74 but are adapted to be similarly individually engaged by an electrode mounted on the end of a spring arm 82 during rotation of the disc 40.

The electrode arm 76 is mounted on a gear 84 which is itself rotatably mounted on a hub 86 extending from the panel 12. This gear 84 is in mesh with the gear 50 at one side and with a gear 88 on the oppoiste side. The gear 38 is mounted on a shaft 96 extending forwardly from panel 12 and provided with an actuating knob $2.

The electrode arm 82 is mounted on a gear 94 which is, in turn, mounted on a hub 96. The gear 94 is in mesh with gear 46 on one side and with a gear 98 on the opposite side. The gear 98 is mounted on a shaft 15-13 which extends through panel 12 and is provided with an actuating knob 162.

The electrode arms 76 and 82 are adapted to be adjusted relative to their respective surfaces 72 and 78 of disc 4 by means of the knobs 92 and 162 acting through the gears 88 and 98.

Mounted on the panel 12 in front of gear 34 is a post 104 of hollow construction. This post 184 has a springpressed ball tnerein which extends out from one end and is adapted to seat within each of a series of recesses 106 on the undersurface of the gear 84. Each of these recesses 1% corresponds to a position of the electrode arm 76 and serves the purpose of preventing vibration of the gear and electrode arm 76 when these parts have been set in adjusted position. A post 168 and its associated parts used in conjunction with gear 94 are similar to the post 104 and its associated parts.

The post 168 is hollow and (as best seen in FIG. 8) contains a spring 116 urging a ball 112 outwardly of its open end. An adjusting screw 1*14 bears on spring 11%. The ball 112 is receivable within selected recesses 116 on the forward face of gear 94, these recesses 116 being similar to recesses 166.

The adjustment of the electrode arm 76 by knob 92 is indicated on the dial face within the dome 68 by the pointer 64, this pointer being adjusted through the gear 50 in mesh with gear 84. The adjustment of electrode arm 82 is indicated on the dial face by pointer 62 which is actuated by gear 46 in mesh with gear 94. The pointers or hour and minute hands 66 and 58 respectively are adjustable by means of a knob 118 mounted on shaft 26 outside the dome 68.

The gears 84 and 94 are each provided with stoppers to limit their rotation and thereby limit the adjustable movement of the electrode arms 76 and 82. pers each comprise a smooth or toothless part of the respective gears 84 and 94, as indicated at 120 and 122 respectively,

The disc 46, in addition to having the contacts 74 and 80 on its opposite faces, is also provided with a series of seventy-two contacts 124 on its outer periphery. These contacts 124 are also formed by exposure of the brass body of the disc 40. Coacting with these contacts 124 is a contact wheel or roller 126 made of brass'or the like, and forming a rotatable electrode. The roller 126 is rotatably mounted at one end of an inverted L-shaped spring arm 12% which is fastened to the panel 18 by bolt 130. An insulating spacer 132 is positioned between the arm 12% and the panel 18. The bolt 130 also serves as a binding post to which is connected a wire 134 leading to the engine starter. The contacts 124 are arranged to start the motor for every contact 74 and St) on the front and rear face of the disc 49.

In addition to the roller 126, there is also provided a roller electrode 138, similarly made of brass or the like. The roller 138 is mounted on a spring arm 146) which is also attached to panel 18 through an insulating spacer pad 14-2. The connecting means comprise bolts 144 extending through an offset portion of the arm 140, through the insulator pad 142 and through the panel 18, on the further side of which they are held by appropriate locknuts (as best seen in FIG. 3). The arm 140 is connected at 146 to a wire 148 leading to the ignition. The roller 13% is in continuous contact with an annular uninsulated, contact ring 156' on the disc 4% (see P16. 2) so that a These stopcontinuous closed circuit is provided between the ring 150 and the ignition.

The electrode arms 76 and 82 are utilized for manual control of the device, however, provision is also made for automatic actuation of the device in accordance with the temperature. This automatic actuation is effected by means of an electrode at one end of a spring arm 152 mounted by means of a torsion spring 154 at one end of a shaft 156. The shaft 156 extends through the panels 18 and 14 and is threadedly engaged at its upper end with an insulating spacer sleeve 158. At the opposite end of the spacer sleeve 15% is threadedly engaged one end of a shaft 160. The shafts 156 and 160 are held apart by spacer sleeve 158 in order to prevent the flow of electrical energy from one shaft to the other.

The shaft 169 extends into a thermostatic housing 162 in which is positioned a thermostat spring 164. The shaft 16% is connected to the spring 164 and is actuated by expansion and contraction of the spring under variations of temperature. The housing 162 under the hood of the vehicle, ahead of the dashboard, is directly in line with the dial face on panel 12. The bottom of the housing 162 protrudes below the engine to permit only the outside temperature to affect the thermostat spring 164. This is important since if the heat of the engine were permitted to control the expansion and contraction of the spring 164, the entire automatic unit would be subject to overly rapid fluctuation.

The torsion spring 154 serves a definite puipose. For example, when the temperature rises during warming weather, the spring 164 acts in the opposite direction from its action during freezing weather. This tends to cause shafts 156 and 160, together with arm 152 and its electrode to rotate in the opposite direction. Such opposite rotation would cause arm 152 to rotate completely out of contact with disc 46 if it Were not for spring 154 which permits spring 164 to rotate in the said opposite direction without affecting the arm 152.

In operation, the spring 164, under variations of temperature, rotates the shaft 160 which, in turn, rotates shaft 156. This rotates spring 154 which then moves electrode arm 152.

There are a series of electrodes 166 arranged annularly around the inner periphery of the face 78 of disc 40. These contacts 166 represent ten minutes of running time once every 'half hour of the motor automatically, figured for F. below zero.

The contacts 166 are adapted to be engaged either by the electrode of arm 82 or the electrode of arm 152 depending on whether the device is set for manual or automatic adjustment.

When the electrode of either arm 82 or arm 152 touches contact ring 150, the motor will run steady. This is preferably set on the automatic adjustment for between and F. and below. Then, the further the electrode arm (either 82 or 152) moves toward the outer periphery of disc 40, the less frequent will be the running time intervals of the motor. For example, when the electrode is in engagement with contacts 166, there will be ten minutes of running time each half hour. On the automatic adjustment this would be at 50 F. below zero. Then as the electrode moves toward the outer edge of the disc 40 in accordance with increasingly warmer atmospheric temperatures, fewer contacts are in the rotational path of the electrode and so there are greater intervals between running times. Nevertheless, each period of running time remains ten minutes regardless of the intervals between running times.

The outermost portion of the disc face, closest to the edge, is free of contacts 80 so that when the electrode is in this area, the motor will not be set running at all.

It should be noted that the automatic unit will only operate when the electrode arm 82 is deactivated. This Selective operation is effected by the switch assembly 168 as will behereinafter more fully explained.

The contacts 124 on the periphery of disc 40 are so arrangedthat they will be engaged by roller 126 at the same time that the electrodes 76, 82, 138 and 152 engage their respective contacts on the disc 48. In this manner, with other parts of the circuit closed, the circuit is completed to cause the electric starter to rotate and start the engine. It is further tobe noted that the contacts 124 on the periphery of disc 48 are preferably so narrow that they represent only about one minute of running time of the starter. In this way, should the motor not start, only one minute of battery energy would be wasted.

It should also be noted that the various contacts 74, 841', 124, 150 and 166 are made substantially flush with the insulated coating since otherwise the clock action would be slowed down by friction.

As stated above, the automatic temperature-controlled unit, represented by electrode arm 152 and its associated parts, is only operable when manual control, represented by electrode arm 82 and its associated arts, is

inoperative. This alternative operation is effected by means of the shaft 1% on which is mounted the gear 98 and which is actuatable by knob 102. The shaft 108' is not only rotatable but is also longitudinally slidable, the greater width of gear 98 relative to gear 94 permitting this sliding movement to be effected without disengaging these gears from mesh with each other.

The shaft 165) is also provided with a switch blade 17%, this switch blade 170 being pivotally connected at 172 to the shaft 1% and also being pivoted at 174 within the housing of the switch assembly 168. Four switch contacts are provided within the switch housing, these contacts being indicated respectively at 176, 178, 180 and 182 (see FIG. 2). The blade 171) is arranged to alternately engage contacts 176 and 182 in one position and contacts 178 and 180 in the other position of pivotal adjustment.

When the shaft 100 is pulled out by knob 102, it moves the switch blade 170 into the position wherein it engages contacts 17 8 and 180. This establishes the circuit through line 184 to electrode arm 152 of the automatic unit as well as through line 186 to the current supply source. When the shaft 100 is moved in the opposite direction, on the other hand, not only does gear 98 mesh with gear 94 but the blade 170 engages with contacts 176 and 182 while being disengaged from contacts 178 and 180. This establishes the circuit through line 188 to electrode arm 82 and through line 190 to the current supply and to electrode arm 76.

The clock mechanism generally comprises the shaft 192 on which is mounted the clock spring 194 and a gear 196. The gear 196 is in mesh with gear 198 on a shaft 200 extending from panel 18. The gear 198 is, in turn, in mesh with gear 26*2 on the shaft 26. A knob 204 is provided for winding the clock spring through the shaft 192.

This clock mechanism can be used to start and run the car engine either automatically according to temperature variations or manually, in the manner described above. It can also be utilized, with both the automatic and manual units deactivated, in which case the clock may be used only to tell time. The clock can be either of the key wind or electric automatic type.

The pointer 64, corresponding to electrode arm 76,

' determines the time at which the device may be set to run for a predetermined interval depending on the length of the individual contacts 74. The pointer 62, corresponding to electrode arm 82, determines how often at spaced intervals, the device will be run. In other words, with pointer 64 at 7, the device is set to run for 10 minutes at 7 oclock. With the pointer 62 at 3, the device will run for the predetermined period every three hours.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In an automatic starting system for engines, a control device comprising a housing, a dial face on said housing, a first shaft in said housing and extending through said dial face, means on said first shaft operatively connecting it to a clockmechanism for rotation thereby, a control disc on said first shaft mounted for rotation therewith within said housing, a plurality of electrical contacts on one face of the disc at different radial distances from the axis thereof, a plurality of annular series of contacts on the opposite face of the disc, each of the annular series being at a different radial distance from the axis of the disc, there being a respectively different number of contacts in each series, a pair of adjustable gears adjacent the disc, a separate manually controlled gear in mesh with each adjustable gear, an electrode eccentrically mounted on each adjustable gear, a first of said electrodes being positionable by its gear to engage a contact on the one face of the disc, a second of said electrodes being positionable by its gear to engage the contacts of one of the annular series of contacts on the opposite face of the disc, an annular contact on one face of the disc, a plurality of spaced contacts on the periphery of the disc, all of the contacts on the disc being electrically connected together in common, a third electrode connected to the ignition of the engine and engageable with the annular contact on the disc, a fourth electrode connected to the starter of the engine and engageable with the peripheral contacts on the disc, a fifth electrode mounted on a movable electrode arm and engageable with the contacts on the opposite face of the disc, a thermally controlled spring operatively connected to the electrode arm for positioning the fifth electrode to contact one of the annular series of contacts, said first, second and fifth electrodes being connected to a source of voltage, and switch means for alternately disconnecting said second and fifth electrodes from said voltage source while respectively connecting the other thereof to the source.

2. In the system of claim 1, each of said adjustable gears being provided on one face with a plurality of recesses and a spring-pressed detent extending from a wall of said housing adjacent each adjustable gear and releasably engageable in said recesses to index said adjustable gears.

3. In the system of claim 1, including tubular shafts mounted on the first shaft and of each provided with a pointer movable over said dial face and gears on said tubular shafts respectively meshing with the adjustable gears.

4. In the system of claim 1, said switch means including two pairs of contacts and a switch blade, each pair being connected between the source of voltage and the respective first and fifth electrodes, said blade being movable into alternate engagement with each pair of contacts, said blade being connected to a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft, said shaft having a gear thereon in mesh with one of said adjustable gears throughout longitudinal movement of said last-mentioned shaft.

5. In an automatic starting system for engines, a control device comprising a main rotatable shaft, a control disc mounted on the shaft, said disc having a plurality of electrical contacts on one face thereof at different radial distances from the axis thereof, a plurality of annular series of electrical contacts on the opposite face of the disc, each of the annular series being at a different radial distance from the axis of the disc, there being a respectively different number of contacts in each series, a pair of movable members adjacent said disc, first and second electrodes respectively carried by the members, means for ad-' aoaaaas face of the disc, measn for adjusting the other member to selectively position the second electrode for engagement with one of the annular series of contacts on the opposite face of the disc, an annular contact on one face of the disc, a plurality of spaced contacts on the periphery of the disc, all of the contacts on the disc being electrically connected together, a third electrode connected to the ignition of the engine and engageable with the annular contact on the disc, a fourth electrode connected to the starter of the engine and engageable with the peripheral contacts on the disc, a thermally adjustable spring, a second shaft rotatable by the spring, a fifth electrode engageable with the opposite face of the disc, a torsion spring operated by the second shaft to selectively position the fifth electrode to contact one of the annular series of contacts, means connecting the first, second, and fifth electrodes to a source of voltage and including switch means for selectively disconnecting the second and fifth electrodes from the source.

6. In the system defined by claim 5, a dial face through which the main shaft extends, a pair of pointers rotatably mounted on the main shaft and means operated by the movable members for respectively rotating a pointer to provide an indication on the dial of the position of the corresponding movable member.

7. In the system of claim 5, said main shaft being operatively connected to a clock mechanism, there being hour and minute hands rotatable on said main shaft on the dial face.

8. In the system of claim 5, wherein said movable members each comprise a gear, each gear being provided with a peripheral surface portion free of gear teeth, said surface forming a limit for the rotation of the gear.

9. In the system of claim 8, each of said gears being operated by a control gear, one of said control gears being mounted on a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft, said last-mentioned shaft carrying a switch blade forming part of said switch means, said blade being movable into alternate positions engaging alternate switch contacts upon opposite longitudinal movement of said last-mentioned shaft.

10. In the system of claim 8 further including indexing means movable into selective releasable engagement with individual recesses on each of said movable members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,269,637 Olmstead June 18, 1918 2,579,958 Perhats' Dec. 25, 1951 

